While the Frierdiker Rebbe’s second visit to Chicago has been written about extensively, his first visit is largely unknown. Now that story has been researched and published for the first time.
While the Frierdiker Rebbe’s second visit to Chicago has been written about extensively, his first visit has gone largely unknown. Now that story has been researched and published for the first time.
‘Chicago’s Glimpse of Royalty’ was published by Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois in honor of the 10 Yartzeit of longtime Chicago shliach Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz AH. The book was conceived, researched, and written by his grandson HaTomim Levi Teldon, with layout and design by Rabbi Avremi Hershkop. It was distributed to Anash at the Pesach Kinus Torah in Chicago.
From the introduction:
Over the course of the year 5690 (1929 – 1930), Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe (referred to in the present article as The Rebbe) made a monumental visit to the U.S. where he would eventually establish Lubavitch Headquarters (1940). In anticipation of this visit Lubavitcher Chassidim in America organized a detailed itinerary in an effort to realize the Rebbe’s primary focus on his trip; to familiarize himself with the needs of American Jewry. The Rebbe was scheduled to visit those cities that possessed a significant Jewish presence and to meet their dignitaries.
The City of Chicago was privileged to host the Rebbe for over two months (11 Shevat – 29 Nissan. February 10 – April 27). This publication describes this visit in great detail from the early preparations of this visit until his departure and beyond.
This work is revolutionary in more than one way. While much has been written about the Previous Rebbe’s second visit to Chicago in Bikur Chicago (published in English as well by S.I.E. “Touching A City’s Soul”), there are few articles that have covered his first visit to Chicago. In addition, the works that have been published cannot be accessed in one collective print, and were typically written in Hebrew.
This book includes a corresponding photo album with relevant pictures printed in their original quality and color. Some of them are being printed here for the first time. Each chapter is accompanied by a notes section, which points to sources and important additional information. And most importantly, Hebrew and Yiddish sources have been translated to reach a wider public and for an easier read.
The book has been compiled in such a way that the text source is used to convey the story. This format offers the reader a unique narrative while retaining authenticity, as the majority of the text is firsthand accounts. When more than one account is available it is incorporated.
Thank you for sharing this. So much information yet so clearly presented.
Fascinating read of a time we don’t know much about. Kol hakavod!